Because I've searched the web for rum sipping tips and came up with information on sipping whiskey and because everyone likes to see questions that they know the answer to I'll pose a basic one that will help me out. I've recently purchased a bottle of Cruzan Single Barrel which is suitable for sipping however I do not have the appropriate rum sipping skills.

My first efforts resulted in me coughing a lot as I was used to drinking wine and I took way too much air and rum into my mouth. I also got my nose way into the glass to give it a whiff which is not fun unless you are watching someone else do it. Sadly I was the only one around.

I found some guidelines but I still feel that I'm missing quite a bit. I am making progress as I was able to smell a distinct mint flavor on the rum tonight but that may be because of a cold I'm getting over. If you could correct me of my ways and set me on the right path I would greatly appreciate it. First some guidelines I found on the internet and then a couple questions.

1. When sniffing the rum, give yourself some distance otherwise you'll just get alcohol fumes.
2. Don't breathe in while sipping, that would be bad.
3. First take a small sip to coat your mouth and swallow, follow by a larger sip, don't hold it in your mouth for more than 4 seconds.

I'm really not sure about that the last one, clarification would be grand.

What is the proper glassware to use in a rum sipping situation? I'm using a short 7-up glass right now and I know that's not right.

Do you sip rum alone or paired with food like you do with wine?

Of course this could all be personal tastes and I'll have to develop my own style but I could really use a jumping of point here. I do however like the idea of getting to know particular rum so I’m looking forward to the rest of the bottle.

I'm actually very interested in this thread. I was wondering if there was any special way to serve rum, like the way that serving wine has an almost ceremonial feel.
_________________Please visit my new website, Leeward Lounge Ukuleles

Please take great care when tilting glass, that you don't tilt too much. Overtilting might result in rum running out of your mouth and all over your face and shirt!
_________________"It's Mai Tai. It's out of this world." - Victor Jules Bergeron Jr.

What they said, especially the part about spillage and laws in certain states......

On a serious note.... You should sip rums the same way you would sip a Cognac, Whiskey, or a Scotch. Most 'good' rums are made with the same care and attention to detail and blending and flavor as as a good blended whiskey or fine scotch. As to hot or cold, try each rum each way. Some are going to be better warmed while others will be better cooler. You are going to get very different flavors, well you are going to get the flavors in a very different way and intensity as you warm the rums for sipping.

As to the glasses and overall presentation, the better the glass and the better the presentation, the better the overall experience is going to be. None of it will help a bad rum, but a nice presentation in a nice glass will make a nice rum nicer overall.

Now, to your original question regarding the Cruzan Single..... I like to take a shot sized glass with a bit of crushed ice and a fat lime wedge (not squeezed, just drop it in the glass) and fill it to the brim. That, to me, brings out the best of the Cruzan. Try it your way and let us know what you find.

Good questions. I usually give anything new a sniff before I do anything with it. I also like taking a shot of anything new, no matter how bad it might be (Bacardi deserves it's relatively poor reputation-- even the Anejo 8 is like gasoline).
I've actually been doing some side by side tastings, comparing Bacardi Gold to Light to Anejo (all three pretty much suck). I've also compared regular Myers to the 10yo Legend (not much difference, especially since a bottle of Legend is twice the cost and half the size).
I've also discovered that I like Pyrat Pistol better than the XO reserve, although both are pretty sweet.
I've tried sipping it straight, which works fine, but I usually like my drinks cold, no matter what, so I personally like a little ice in there. I usually just use a small rocks glass, but a snifter type glass would be better.
Chip and Andy make a good point-- hot vs cold will definitely change the tastes that you get, and some rums will be better one way. Sort of like Sake, I guess.
Trying new stuff is what makes it fun. I've started keeping a journal, the way wine people keep journals about the different wines they try. Sure, there's not as many different types of rum, but I've realized from my records that I like Goslings Black Seal and Pusser's rum as much as I've liked stuff that's quite a bit more expensive (I hated Sea Wynde, as an example-- I think I'd rather drink Bacardi).
Have fun!